Balkan Sunflowers - The End of the Week

     Wow, it has been an amazing and full week, with a little flavor of life here in Kosovo, lots of children and laughter, pounding nails, eating delicious, food, cooking, communicating (or trying to) in five or more different languages, learning a lot about the work being done here, and learning more about myself.  I would say that I feel privileged to work with Andy, Dorontine, Amer, and Dani from UWCiM, Martin, a student teacher from Germany, and all the people at Fushekosovo.  We were especially honored my Mohamet and his family by hosting us, accepting us into their home, feeding us, and allowing us to work alongside them in the center.
     This evening was a wonderful way to wrap up the week - our team took the initiative to cook dinner for our family, after a long days work.  Martin bought some ingredients - but we were not quite sure how everything would turn out.  The menu was spiced baked chicken a la Andy (with some guidance), pasta salad (American and German style) prepared by Martin, Amer, and myself, appetizers by Dorontine and I, and chocolate chip cookies by your very own.  There were thirteen people total, all crowded around two small tables on couches and stools.  It was cozy and nice, and Dorontine and I dominated the kitchen and took responsibility for all the cleaning - since they haven't allowed us to do anything all week out of pure hospitality.  I'm really proud.
     Before we returned home the staff at the center hosted a party for us with some snacks, drinks, nice music and taught us one traditional group dance.  They are all very sweet people, and I enjoyed working with them this week - even though the language barrier restricted some communication smiles, translations, and simply working together is its own language.  After the party everybody came to inaugurate the shed that we built (which is basically finished).

Now we will sleep, in the morning Amer's father will come to pick us up and drive us back to Rozaje, from where we will take a cab back to Sarajevo then catch the evening train back home to Mostar, retracing our path from last Sunday.  I'll write more and post just a few of the many photos later!  Safe journeys to everybody returning to Mostar!